Giant tortoise Jonathan, considered the world’s oldest living land animal, is “alive and well” after all, after news of his supposed death turned out to be false and linked to a cryptocurrency scam.
Information about the death of the turtle, whose estimated age is around 200 years, began to circulate on the social networkin the South Atlantic – an island discovered by the navigator João da Nova, in the service of Portugal, in 1502, and later taken by the British.
The publication, in an emotional tone, reported that Jonathan had died “peacefully”, adding: “Rest in peace, old friend. You will be missed beyond words.” The same account even went so far as to thank “the wave of affection” received after the turtle’s supposed death.
However, the information was quickly refuted. The organization Friends of the British Overseas Territories, citing the governor of the island of Saint Helena, Nigel Phillips, clarified that the account was fake and was trying to raise donations in cryptocurrencies. “The real Joe Hollins does not have an account at X”, indicated the organization, adding that the governor “confirmed that Jonathan is alive and well, he just checked on him”.
Joe Hollins himself later reacted in a Facebook post, calling the case “a hoax” and rejecting any connection to the fake account. “THIS IS NOT TRUE. The impostor is asking for donations in cryptocurrencies. It’s a scam,” he wrote, asking for the shared correction: “Please spread the word as this has already spread.”
An animal with almost two centuries of history
Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, lives on the island of Saint Helena and is estimated to be around 193 years old, although there is no exact record. It was reportedly brought to the island from the Seychelles at the end of the 19th century, and has already spanned the reigns of eight British monarchs, from William IV to the current King Charles III.. It resides in the gardens of Plantation House, the governor’s official residence, where it shares space with other giant tortoises.
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